Estonia Supports Continuing Enlargement of European Union

15.11.2011

No. 362-E

At the discussion between the European Union foreign ministers on the topic of further European Union enlargement last night in Brussels, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that regardless of the current atmosphere that does not facilitate enlargement, we must ensure the continuation of enlargement policy based on existing principles.

Paet noted that although the conclusion of accession negotiations with Croatia and reaching practical negotiations with Iceland have given a positive impetus to European Union enlargement, is in not a favourable time for enlargement due to the ongoing economic and euro area crisis. “However, we must proceed in the current moment because that is the key to enlargement policy,” he stated.

“We hope that the enlargement process will also continue with Turkey,” said Paet. “We feel it is regrettable that negotiations with Turkey, one of the European Union’s important strategic partners, have not made progress in over a year,” he stated. “The European Union must see its strategic interests beyond its borders and address issues of asylum, immigration, and visas, especially with Turkey,” added Paet.

Estonia welcomes the European Commission’s plan to develop European Union-Turkey relations in the areas of foreign policy co-operation, moving forward with the visa dialogue, and immigration issues.